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Monday, February 12, 2018

5 Things to Do in Seoul If You've Done It All

When you visit a country for the fourth time, especially if you've lived there for a period of time, it's hard not to fall into old habits – staying in with friends and ordering takeout, going to you usual haunts, or just running all your errands (and by errands, I mean shopping to restock on makeup and skincare).

I found this conundrum on my third trip to Seoul last January, and struggled even more on my fourth trip in October for Seoul Fashion Week! While most of my days were filled with shows, there were some that I needed to fill – and while spending the day at the hostel helping the owner improve his English is fun, it's not ideal (not going to lie, most of my early evenings in were spent drinking tea and discussing cultural differences with him, it's great to learn something new!). So I've put together a few tips for anyone who's making a first, second, or third trip to one of my favorite cities.

1. Take A Different Subway Exit

To get to Insadong, you can get off at two different subway stations (Anguk or Jonggak), and take a myriad of exit points from there. As someone who's pretty set in their routines and is admittedly directionally challenged, I always take the same exit so I don't need to struggle with a map. What happens when my friend insists on a shortcut? We find the cutest corner of Insadong, without a tourist in site. Taking Exit 1 or 2 at Anguk Station will get you to Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을), and Exit 4 will take you into a really quiet corner of the Hanok Village filled with traditional hanoks turned cafes and eateries.

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2. Try Traditional Tea
My favorite is omija tea, or five-flavor berry tea. The tea is made from dried magnolia berries, and is a refreshing drink in the hot summer. Enjoy it with some traditional bingsu with red beans and hangwa!

3. Head to Dongdaemun Design Plaza for a Fashion Exhibit
Designed by Zaha Hadid, the building is home to a variety of art installations, exhibits, and of course, Seoul Fashion Week. Visit the LED Rose Garden (shown behind me) at night for a magical sight, go shopping for souvenirs (the gift shops offer a selection of fun toys and modern design). My favorite thing to do when I have a break in between shows (or whenever I was bored on a weekend) is to check out their fashion exhibits. I went to see the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit in 2016, complete with talking Madonna mannequins, and of course mannequins of G-Dragon lined up alongside Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington on a mock runway.

4. People Watch
Speaking of Seoul Fashion Week, sometimes you just want to sit and people watch. I feel like certain cities offer the best people to watch, and Seoul is one of them (Paris and Tokyo are close behind though)! Of course, the best and the craziest come out during Seoul Fashion Week, lining up to try and have their photos snapped by famed street photographers. I personally enjoy watching the kids – their parents dress them adorably, and some are already in training to become k-pop stars, actors and actresses, and models.

PS. This is Brigitte, from Aloha Brigitte! We were talking on Instagram, and I finally got to meet her (and her husband, who's hilarious) IRL! Talk about a major girl crush!

5. Cafe Hop
There are always new cafes popping around, and rather than heading to the nearest one, take some time to do a bit of research. Korea loves their themed cafes, and while expensive, the experience is always fun! Plus, if you're like me, you'll want to go just to take a few pictures! If you happen to be in Myeongdong, try the Pink Pool Cafe in the Style Nanda Pink Hotel! In Apgujeong? Take a peek down the rabbit hole and go to Miss Yoon's Wonderland (이상한 나라의 미쓰윤)! Go far enough down (or maybe up?) the rabbit hole and you'll find a secret bar on the roof.